Vietnam passes measurement law amendments requiring refunds for improper charges

Vietnam’s National Assembly passed amendments to provisions of the Law on Measurement during its second session, with all participating delegates voting in favor. Under the amendments, organizations or individuals that improperly collect money because of inaccurate measurement results must refund it in accordance with the law. Those who violate measurement regulations and cause damage must also pay compensation as prescribed by law; violations may lead to administrative penalties or criminal prosecution, depending on their nature and severity.

Minister of Science and Technology Vũ Hải Quân explained the amendments before the National Assembly vote.（VietVance）

Minister of Science and Technology Vũ Hải Quân said before the vote that measurement directly affects residents’ daily lives and business operations. Accurate measurements help residents pay for the electricity, water, gasoline and diesel they actually use, and help businesses control quality and conserve raw materials. He said investment in measurement should be viewed as investment in productivity, quality and the economy’s competitiveness.

Vũ Hải Quân said the amendments aim to change how measurement is managed, better protect residents’ rights and make it easier for businesses to operate. Oversight should focus on activities that could cause harm and areas that directly affect residents’ health, safety and rights. As measuring devices increasingly rely on software, network connections and data processing, oversight must also cover the devices, software and data generated during measurement.

The amendments also allow organizations and individuals to look up and access public information on the digital platform for measurement activities. Consumers have the right to ask providers of essential goods or services to provide or extract measurement data directly related to their transactions for use in complaints, dispute resolution and compensation claims in accordance with the law. Vũ Hải Quân said digital transformation in measurement should protect data integrity, prevent unauthorized interference and provide a basis for resolving disputes.

Source: VietVance